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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 2/17/1987MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFGLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, AT 2:30 P.M. Mayor Renner called to order the Workshop Session of GlendaleCityCouncilinConferenceRoomB-3 of the Council Chambers. Council members present were: Bellah, Huffman, Heatwole, Falbo and Hugh. Members Absent: Tolby. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPORTMarionPorchbriefedthe Council on legislative issues. INTERIOR ART - NEW MAIN LIBRARYSeveralproposedartprojects for the new main libraryinteriorwerepresentedatCityCouncilWorkshopSession on December 9, 1986. The artists selected for those projects were abstract in their style of art. Since art pieces previously purchased for the City have been representational in style and have been extremely well liked, the LIbrary Director felt that it would be wiser to reconsider the choice of artists. Ms. Widom has proposed that it would be more appropriate for the Arts Commission to handle the selection and commission of artists for projects at the new library since the Commission has the expertise to do this. At the regular meeting of the Arts Commission on December 17, 1986, the Commission voted to accept responsibility for the library's interior art projects. The Arts Commission is considering commissioning a work by Robert McCall. The cost for the painting will be approximately $50,000 including $45,000 for the painting and approximately $5,000 for modification of the south wall of the building. Monies are available from new library furnishings and interiors budget. Maria Sands, Chairman of the Commission, explained the project. Councilman Bellah asked the size of the painting. Mrs. Sands said it was 5' by 30' The Council agreed the interior art project for the new main library was going in the right direction. PARADISE EXPRESSWAY ALIGNMENT After many months of study, a decision on the alignment of the Paradise Expressway in Glendale will soon be made. This will allow existing residents and businesses to make plans for the future as well as allowing developers to continue inundevelopedareas. The written comment period for the public hearing conductedbyADOTonJanuary28closesonFebruary25. We expectCharlesMiller, Director, to make a decision on the alignmentwithin4-6 weeks after that date. The GUT team met with interested parties as directed by theCityCouncil. The purpose of the meeting was to furtherdiscussthetwoalternativealignmentsbetween75thAvenueandtheOuterLoop. Although little new information wasobtained, everyone in attendance had an opportunity to voicetheirconcerns. Most participants preferred Alignment H (northern). However, the GUT Team still believes Alignment C is the one which willbestservetheCity's interests. THis is primarily because the team sees more opportunities created for quality development if the Grand Canal Linear Park is constructed without the expressway adjacent to it. Gordon Pedrow, Asst. City Manager, discussed the alignments. Councilman Bellah asked if the developers expressed opinions on the quality of homes near the freeway. Mr. Pedrow stated they had mixed feelings on the matter. They all agreed either alignment was possible. Councilman Bellah asked if the GUT team had a alignment preference regarding the quality of development. Mr. Pedrow stated they preferred alignment C because it give the maximum beneficial impact from the linear park. Councilman Bellah asked if the concern of ingress and egress was discussed. Mr. Pedrow said there was discussions but with proper planning both should be able to have appropriate access. Mayor Renner stated he appreciated the importance of the linear park but since there are solutions to both alignments he feels H is the better alignment with stipulations. Councilman Falbo asked if there were dollar savings with alignment H. Mr. Pilgram said there was a 1 1/2 million dollar difference between H and C, with H being the less expensive. Mayor Renner stated he wanted stipulations included on either alignment for canal to go over the freeway. Mr. Pedrow stated the intention is to relocate the grand canal south of the freeway as long as it is a depressed facility. Councilman Bellah suggested relocating the canal to the eastandcrossatadifferentsectionofthefreewayandnotatamajorintersection. Mr. Pilgram replied that is probablywhatwouldoccur. Councilman Falbo stated the stipulations did need to beincludedbutneededresearchonthecanalanddrainagechannel. This item will be placed on a regular agenda for councilaction. SMOKING ORDINANCEOnJanuary27, 1987, the City Council conducted a publichearingtoobtaincitizeninputontheproposedsmokingordinance. Further direction is needed from Council in a number of areas. Foremost, does Council wish to proceed with a smoking ordinance and, if so, what changes in the existing draft need to occur. For example, should the preference of the non-smoker prevail, should a non-retailiation clause be included, etc. The City Attorney has also asked Council to discuss the establishment of fines for individuals and business entities which do not comply with the ordinance if adopted by the City Council. In other cities fines for individuals generally range from $10 - $30 and for business entities from $100 - 300. According to State law maximum fines which may be established are $300 for individuals and $1000 per entity. The draft ordinance also contains a provision for mandatory minimum fines. The City Attorney would like the Council to discuss the advisability and appropriate amounts of mandatory maximum fines. Vice Mayor Heatwole asked the City Attorney about the dismissal clause and stated the mechanism is in place through EEOC. Mr. Van Haren stated that was correct. Councilman Falbo stated the provision as drafted would do nothing to hinder either process. Mr. Van Haren stated as drafted it would not hinder the employees right to bring private remedy but would add a governmental remedy. Vice Mayor Heatwole stated he felt the provision could be very expensive to the City to research these complaints. Mayor Renner asked from the other cities who have a smoking ordinance has there been any legal problems regarding complaints or the personnel situation. Mr. Turner said in the research done there were no problems. Councilman Falbo stated the Glendale Chamber wanted on page1, Definitions, paragraph B, last sentence, insertreasonably" before smoke free environment. The Councilagreed. Councilman Huffman stated he wanted more emphasis on thehealthandwelfareintheworkingspace. Councilman Falbosaidheagreedandthatwasthereasonforsayingsmokefreeenvironment. Mayor Renner stated inserting the word "reasonable" wouldaddressestheissues. Councilman Bellah stated he agreedwithCouncilmanFalbo. Mayor Renner asked in smoking optional areas where a bar isinthemiddleofanestablishmentshouldanexemptionbeconsidered. Councilman Falbo stated Phoenix's ordinanceallowsnoticespostedthereisnotanareaprovidedfor non smokers. Mayor Renner suggested on Regulation of Smoking in Places of Employment, paragraph A, that if council acts on this and with the Chamber of Commerces cooperation a draft copy of a smoking policy should be made to employers. Vice Mayor Heatwole asked on paragraph B, why smoking is not allowed in employer conference and meeting rooms and would like it taken out. Councilman Falbo stated it would be an employment issue. Vice Mayor Heatwole withdrew his request. In paragraph B, the Chamber would like the work "both" added to the second sentence "preference of both smoking and non- smoking employees." The Council agreed. In paragraph C, first sentence, the Chamber would like it to read "If no reasonable accommodation satisfactory to all affected non-smoking employees can be reached in a given work area, the employer shall designate smoking and non-smoking areas. Councilman Falbo disagrees and feels it weakens the ordinance. In paragraph F, Councilman Bellah has concerns over the word solely" and would like it removed. Councilman Falbo stated he felt it was an important word to protect the employer from the employee who will suggest it was the reason for termination. Mr. Van Haren stated he felt "solely" allowed the employer the freedom to terminate an employee who at some time has made a complaint about smoking or non-smoking. Mayor Renner asked if the word "solely" was included in other ordinances. Mr. Turner stated he was. Councilman Bellah withdrew his request. Vice Mayor Heatwole stated this a personnel practice and doesnotfeelweshouldbeinvolved. In Section "Penalties and Enforcement" paragraph A, Councilagreedtofillintheamountsof $300, $10, $1000 and $25, respectively. Council agreed to strike paragraph C and let the City Managerdesignatewhoshouldenforceand/or handle complaints. Mayor Renner asked about effective dates. Councilman Falbosuggested90daysforsmokingpoliciesand90daysforeffectivedayofenforcement. Council agreed. Mayor Renner asked if Council would like to hear anotherpublichearing. Vice Mayor Heatwole stated usually there isonlyonehearing. Council agreed. Jim Petty, President of the Chamber of Director, stated they would like Council to give the business community an opportunity to react to the ordinance then if necessary go back and make it stronger. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - LOCK BOX SERVICES The City of Glendale's contract for Lock Box Services with Sun Country Financial Corporation has expired. We are presently operating under an extended agreement on a month-to-month basis until the new contract can be awarded. The average daily volume of payment activity from the lock box is around 1,250 items per day with approximately $75,000 deposited. This equates to over 300,000 payments and $22 million processed annually, An average of 225 items are submitted each day from payments made at the City's business office. Terry Sharp, Management Resources Deputy City Manager, gave a brief presentations. Vice Mayor Heatwole asked if an in-house bid has to be in at the same time as the other bidders. Mr. Sharp agreed and further stated the Internal Auditor would evaluate them. Councilman Huffman asked in the bid the City does is space occupied, time and other factors the other bidders consider. Mr. Sharp replied the in-house bid does not include renting space as a private competitor. The consensus was to proceed with the Request for Proposals. BUDGET STATUS AND FINANCIAL OVERVIEW A few weeks ago, the City Council was sent a budget status report for information. The report has now been reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee and we would like to discussitwiththeentireCouncil. Staff will also provide along-term financial overview which is a product of ourincreasingin-house capabilities to evaluate financialconditionandprovidelong-range financing forecasting. TheCouncildidindicate, in its Goals Session, that fiscalstabilityshouldcontinuetobeamajorgoalin1987. Scott Lazenby presented the budget status report. TerrySharppresentedthelong-term financial overview. Mayor Renner asked how is a contingency carry over treated onrevenueandexpenditurespercapita. Mr. Sharp stated it isnotcountedinthebudgetandshowsonthecontrolsheetsundertheunreservedfundbalance. Art Lynch presented statistics on the tax base and financemanagement. Mayor Renner commended the Finance Department for the outstanding report. WEATHER MODIFICATION PARTICIPATION A request to participate in the weather modification data collection phase of a comprehensive program to increase water yield in the Salt -Verde basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is conducting an atmospheric water resources management program for the Mogollon Rim. Preliminary indications reveal that actual weather modification techniques can increase watershed yield by at least 15%, per year, which equates to 300,000 acre-feet annually. The cost is estimated to be $7 to $10 per acre-foot. Glendale is being asked to join with other AMWUA Cities, the Salt River Project, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, in the data collection effort that requires cost-sharing from local participants. David Iwanski, Water Resources Director, gave a brief presentation. Vice Mayor Heatwole asked if this is to determine if rain can be made. Mr. Iwanski stated this was correct. Vice Mayor Heatwole asked if silver nitrate would taint the water. Mr. Iwanski stated silver nitrate is environmentally clean. Councilman Falbo suggested to exclude MET. Mayor Renner concurred. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at5:55 p.m. Deputy City Clerk